7.4 /10 1 Votes
Country United Kingdom Publication date 1 March 1990 Pages 304 Genres Crime Fiction, Mystery | 3.7/5 Goodreads Language English Media type Print/Audiobook Originally published 1 March 1990 Page count 304 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Gallowglass is a 1990 novel by British writer Ruth Rendell, written under the name Barbara Vine.
Contents
Plot summary
When Sandor snatches Joe from the path of a London tube train, he makes it clear that Joe's life now belongs to him. Sandor begins to tell him a mysterious story and teaches Joe that he is a "gallowglass", the servant of a chief. Sandor comes from a wealthy home and is highly educated. Joe, longing for a friend, falls under his spell.
Some years earlier, Sandor had taken part in the kidnapping of a former model, Nina. He now plans to kidnap her again so that they can live together. At present, Nina lives in a heavily guarded residence with her husband and many servants. Eventually, Joe's colourful stepsister, Tilly, is also dragged into the plot. However, things don't turn out as Sandor had planned. Most of the story is seen through Joe's eyes, but Paul Garnet, Nina's driver, also tells part of the tale.
Television adaptation
The novel was made into a serial by the BBC and aired in early 1993. Jacqueline Holborough wrote the screenplay. Key roles in the series included John McArdle as Paul Garnet, Michael Sheen as Joe, Gary Waldhorn as Ralph Apsoland, Arkie Whiteley as Nina and Paul Rhys as Sandor.